Audi is now taking orders in the UK for the new Q5 SUV. First deliveries will be during April for Q5 models in either SE, Sport or S line specification. Pricing starts from £37,170 OTR for the 2.0 TDI.

Standard equipment is more comprehensive than before, with features such as the Audi Smartphone Interface, the Audi parking system plus and powered tailgate operation present right from the SE entry point. Other notable standard features include Audi drive select, heated front seats, an acoustic windscreen, deluxe three-zone electronic climate control and pre-sense city collision prevention assistance.

Over three years/30,000 miles, the Q5 2.0 TDI quattro S line S tronic with 187 bhp is predicted to retain 58.3 per cent of its original value, while every other Q5 model in the range achieves an RV over the same term of at least 55 per cent. Independent automotive valuation experts, CAP Monitor also rate the RV of the Q5 2.0 TDI quattro S line S tronic at 57 per cent over the same three year/30,000-mile term.

A sculpturally flared Singleframe grille with a solid frame dominates the new Q5’s aerodynamically flat front end. It is fitted with Xenon headlights as standard on SE and Sport models and all-weather LED headlights with a signature Q design on S line. High-resolution Matrix LED lamps with dynamic indicators can be chosen as an option regardless of model.

The strongly emphasised wheel arches are intended to be a reference to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, and the low greenhouse tapers back down early. Just as at the front, horizontal lines at the rear are designed to convey an image of width and presence. The tail lights are also available with optional dynamic indicators. The tailgate wraps around the C-pillars – a typical feature of the Q models from Audi. A diffuser insert integrates the exhaust tailpipes.

Compared to the previous model, the new Q5 has grown in nearly all of its dimensions but the unladen weight was reduced – depending on the engine – by up to 90 kg. Steels with maximum tensile strength and aluminium form an intelligent material mix in the body.

Audi says the new Q5 also stands at the top of its class in its aerodynamics. The four-cylinder versions attain a cd figure of 0.30 with the aerodynamically optimised roof. Wind noises are claimed to be exceptionally low, and vibration comfort is high.

A three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is standard. When it is dark, the optional ambient lighting creates an attractive atmosphere in 30 different colours.

The rear seat back of the new Audi Q5 is split into three segments. Longitudinal and seat back angle adjustment are optional. Depending on the rear seat position, the basic volume of the luggage compartment ranges from 550 to 610 litres, 10 litres more than in the previous model. When the rear bench is folded down, this volume grows to 1,550 litres. Cargo loading is simplified by a power-operated tailgate fitted as standard, an optional variably folding mat, optional hands-free control of the power tailgate and manual lowering of the body via the optional air suspension.

Operation of the new Audi SUV is marked by three new features. The optional Audi virtual cockpit presents graphics on its high-resolution 12.3-inch screen. The driver can choose from two views – a classic view with large round instruments and a mode in which the navigation map or lists dominate.

The MMI terminal in the centre console acts as the main control element. In the top infotainment system, the optional MMI navigation plus features an 8.3-inch display and MMI all-in-touch incorporating a touchpad built into the rotary controller which recognises haptic feedback. The interactive system is able to comprehend handwritten entries as well as gestures familiar from consumer electronics such as zooming gestures.

The MMI operating logic is based on the flat hierarchies used in today’s smartphones, and it offers such features as intelligent free-text search. The new natural-language voice control function also recognizes inputs from everyday speech.

Audi can deliver a newly developed head-up display as an option. It projects relevant information onto the windshield – including from driver assistance systems – as symbols and numbers designed to be perceived quickly.

The new Audi Q5, like the Q7 and the A4, has a self-learning “personal route assist” function. After activating this function, the navigation system learns the routes and destinations that the customer regularly selects, and it associates this information to the parked position and time of day.

For as long as it is active, the system therefore learns from the customer’s behaviour and uses this information to suggest optimised route planning for the next trip – even while navigation is inactive. The navigation system incorporates the three most likely destinations into the calculation, taking into consideration both the arrival time and current traffic levels. For instance, the system can suggest that the customer activate navigation to find out about potential alternative routes. The driver decides whether or not to activate the function. He also has the option of deleting saved destinations. If the function is deactivated, the system does not store the destinations and does not consider deleted destinations or the routes driven.

Sport and S line models take advantage of an SD-card based MMI Navigation system, supplemented by a three-month free trial of the Audi connect suite of services. As an alternative, MMI navigation plus with the intelligent handwriting recognition technology of MMI Touch unlocks a full 36-month subscription to Audi connect via an embedded SIM with no data charge.

The free Audi MMI connect app produces a close interconnection between the car and smartphone or a smartwatch and offers other services. They include remote checking of important vehicle states, online media streaming and transmission of a calendar from a smartphone to the MMI.

The Audi phone box connects smartphones to the vehicle’s antenna for optimal reception quality; it also charges smartphones inductively according to the Qi standard. The Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 3D sound introduces the spatial dimension of height. The Audi smartphone interface also brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the new Q5.

In its driver assistance systems, the new Audi Q5 offers a broad range of high-tech options. The predictive efficiency assistant helps the driver save fuel by specific information on the car’s surroundings. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) can also ease strain in slow-moving traffic, while Audi active lane assist makes it easier to stay in lane. Distance warning alerts the driver when the distance to a vehicle drops below a safe distance.

Cross traffic assist rear, the exit warning system, collision avoidance assist and turn assist are other new features, along with pre sense systems – Audi pre sense city is a standard feature which warns of pedestrians and vehicles and may initiate automatic emergency braking within system limits. Park assist, the camera-based recognition of traffic signs and hill descent assist round out the features.

The new Audi Q5 is launching in the UK with a 2.0 TDI engine producing 187 bhp alongside a 2.0 TFSI petrol. The 2.0 TDI with 187 bhp achieves up to 56.5mpg in conjunction with a low of 132g/km, depending on wheel size. The also intensively revised 3.0 TDI, coming at a later date, increases output to 282 bhp with 457.3 lb ft of torque.

The drivetrain of the mid-size SUV has been redeveloped from the ground up. Automatic transmissions integrate a fuel-saving freewheel function. The driver controls it by a selection lever or by shift paddles on the steering wheel; in both cases, the control signals are transmitted electronically.

The new quattro drivetrain with ultra technology is standard equipment for the 2.0 TDI. quattro with ultra technology always disengages the rear-axle drive whenever it is not needed, and if necessary it can proactively re-engage it. The new concept boosts efficiency without reducing traction or driving dynamics.

For the V6 diesel, Audi can deliver an optional sport differential at the rear axle which distributes torque between the wheels as necessary and thereby provides a maximum of driving dynamics – this is another new feature in this model series and in the competitive field.

The new Audi Q5 enables handling that combines very different strengths – it is designed to be sporty while being extremely comfortable. Creating the basis for this are the newly developed five-link suspensions and also the new electromechanical power steering system. Dynamic steering is available as an option; it varies its gear ratio according to the driving speed and steering angle.

Customers can choose from two extension stages of springs and damping. The chassis with damper control offers a very wide spread between comfort and dynamics, which the driver can select via Audi drive select. In addition to adjusting damper control, the new adaptive air suspension can be used to vary the ride height of the car body over five stages.

In the standard system, Audi drive select, which accesses various technical modules, the driver can select one of as many as seven driving modes. The offroad mode emphasises the broad repertoire of talents the Q5 has when going beyond the beaten track.

The new Audi SUV comes from the factory with 18-inch alloy wheels (SE and Sport), and the S line package with 19-inch wheels. Wheels up to 20 inches in diameter are available as options.

The new Audi Q5 is manufactured at a newly constructed plant in Mexico. It will arrive at Audi Centres in the UK in the spring of 2017.